Hawaii Environmental Film Festival - Archived

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From our friend Gloria Borland, founder of the Hawai’i Inspiration Museum and Environmental Film Festival

Hawai’i Environmental Film Festival Opens with Screening Timed to Legislative Session.

We are pleased to announce the launch on Saturday, January 31, 2026, of the Hawai’i Environmental Film Festival, a three-part series modeled after the nation’s oldest and largest environmental film festival in Washington, DC. Green film festivals are different because they have a “call-to-action.”

The Hawai’i Environmental Film Festival uses film as a civic engagement tool, pairing screenings with facilitated discussions to encourage dialogue and informed action during a critical election year. 

We have designed our three-part film festival to reflect Hawai’i unique culture, geography, and people. Each event is designed to be a nonpartisan learning experience. Our audience will discover new insights that will help them make informed decisions.

Part 1 on January 31, is scheduled in the early days of the 2026 Hawai’i Legislative Session to highlight bills that are pro-environment. Lawmakers who introduced pro-environment bills will be given the opportunity to describe the importance of their legislation. Our audience can hear directly from a legislator, how they can support a particular bill.

Hawai’i was the first state in the nation to mandate 100% renewable energy by 2045. Are we on track to meet our goal? We will hear from Jeff Mikulina, who led the effort to pass the landmark legislation in 2015. We will also discuss the state’s new Green Fee.

Some of the nonpartisan Pro-Environment Bills to be highlighted on Jan. 31 from 5:30 pm – 6pm are: 

CO-MANAGING ‘AINA
Sponsor: Rep. Nadine Nakamura, Speaker of the House

ESTABLISH CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE AND SOIL HEALTH INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Sponsor: Sen. Mike Gabbard

BALCONY SOLAR
Plug-in solar for renters/condo owners
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Lee

FUEL TANK ADVISORY
Increase Inspections
Sponsor: Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole

WATER COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE
Shield from undue political influence.
Sponsor: Sen. Lorraine Inouye

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Prohibit Military Live-Fire on State Public Trust Lands
Sponsor: OHA

BAN LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS
Sponsor: Rep. Amy Perruso

BAN TELONE (a pesticide)
Sponsor: Rep. Sean Quinlan

DESIGNATE THE COCONUT PALM AS A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SOURCE
Current designation is a landscape tree.
Sponsor: Sen. Brenton Awa

CLIMATE-FRIENDLY INSURERS ACT OF 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Karl Rhoads

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Hawai’i Environmental Film Festival Launches with Films Examining Military Impact on Hawaiian Lands

6:00 PM – Screening WATERS OF PU’ULOA
6:30 PM – Panel discussion with Director Tiare Kamakahukilani Ribeaux 
6:50 PM – Status of Oahu’s water after Red Hill fuel leak, Ernie Lau, Chief Engineer, Honolulu Board of Water Supply
7:00 PM – Screening MĀLAMA MĀKUA
8:00 PM – Panel discussion with Director Mikey Inouye
8:30 PM- Call to Action
Constitutional Amendment: Prohibit Military Live-Fire on State Public Trust Lands.
Instead of a backroom deal, let voters decide in November.
8:45 -9:45 PM – Kanakapila
10 PM – Pau

About the Hawai’i Environmental Film Festival
Hosted by the Inspiration Hawai’i Museum, the Hawai’i Environmental Film Festival is a three-part community event that harnesses the power of film to educate and empower audiences around environmental issues affecting Hawai’i. The festival highlights local voices and stories while fostering meaningful dialogue across communities.

Part 2 – April 18, 2026
Honoring EARTH Day screening YOUTH V GOV with a panel discussion from youth participants in the landmark June 2024 settlement Navahine v Hawai’i Department of Transportation. Hawai’i had the first climate settlement in the United States.

Part 3 – June 6, 2026
Celebrating United Nation’s World OCEAN Day and the 50th Anniversary of Hōkūle’a’s voyage from Hawai’i to Tahiti and back to Oahu during the summer of 1976. The festival will screen films about Hōkūle’a’s historic voyage half a century ago and protecting Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

We look forward to your participation as we explore these critical issues through the power of film.  Tickets on sale today at http://www.hieff.org.

Mahalo,
Gloria C. Borland
Founder, Hawai’i Environmental Film Festival